Chinnar

The Chinnar Chapters

Wilderness calls for the best version of you to come outside and experience the best in nature! Have you got the call of wilderness? If yes, then you shall not miss out the beauty of Chinnar!

The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki is one of the precious and unique stretch of protect forest area in the lap of the Eastern Slope of the Majestic Western Ghats. Chinnar falls under the rain shadow region adjoining the forest of Tamilnadu.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is best known for the abundant trove of wildlife that is unique to the Western Ghats! The sanctuary is documented to have diverse collection of eco system and has a rich ethnic and cultural heritage behind it.

Towards the southern side of the Sanctuary lies the Eravikulam National Park and towards the northern side is the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary.

Chinnar also happens to be a well-known repository of rare medicinal plants and provides home to a good population of healthy animals. Animals like the start tortoise, wild elephants, gaurs, spotted deer, grey langurs, slender loris, leopard, crocodile, tiger and many varieties of birds, insects and plants etc. are native to the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The most important and unique species to the sanctuary ate the Great Grizzled Squirrel of India. These squirrels and a major endangered species and are only less than 200 in number.

According to surveys, the sanctuary hasmore thana thousandvarieties of flowering plants anda huge collection of rare and important medicinal plants.

The place is also a paradise for birdwatchers as there are about 225 recorded species of birds and a lot of beautiful varieties of butterflies.

Chinnar has a unique location in the Western Ghats which has in turnproved a factor for the sparse rainfall it receives for only 2 months annually. The unique mixture of Dry deciduous forests, high ranges and some grassland provides a special beauty and diversity to the sanctuary. Thus the place has a Deciduous Vegetation and this makes it an ideal spot for Trekking and Wildlife Spotting.

The forest department and the Wildlife Sanctuary Authority caters for adventurous trekking experiences! They offer guided trekking to the mesmerizing landscape of the dry forests and through the forest stretch along the pristine Chinnar River.The trekking experience not only covers the wildlife and nature, but it also takes the guests to the archaeological spots in the place connected with the ancient tribal groups. Chinnar is also famous for the high quality sandalwoods. One can also come across giant Sandalwood trees during the trekking. The mesmerizingforests of pure Sandalwoods is in fact a must visit in Chinnar.

Along the trekking trail, guests can spot herds of wild elephants and gaurscasually moving around inside the sanctuary. Lucky ones can also manage to see the Sambar, the Spotted Deer, Hanuman Langurs and peacocks during their journey.

The Thoovanam Water Falls Trekking is another important and must-do thing in Chinnar. The luxurious waterfall is a best option in the place. It spreads over about 100 meters wide and would definitely leave anybody spellbound!

The Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is really good at the activities and experiences they provide for the tourists.The eco-tourism activities are tremendous and a great experience of the forest! These activities are organized jointly by the Department of Forest and the Eco-development Committees of the local tribal communities in Chinnar.

Various facilities and programmes organized by the eco-tourism wing includes the beautiful river trekking, heritage trekking to the cultural sites, trails to the watch tower, waterfall trekking to the Thoovanam falls, interpretation activities at the Sanctuary and medicinal gardens of Chinnar etc.Guests can also book stays at the Tree Houses or Dormitories at Chinnar or at the camping at Vasyappara.

The Wildlife Sanctuary offers a very good Interpretation Centre at Karimutty which provides a great treat to the guests. They also have two eco shops, one at the starting point in the Chinnar check post and another one at the Aalampetty where from people can buy forest products of Chinnar.

The Wildlife Sanctuary in Chinnar is located around 60 km away from the town of Munnar. It is around 208 k.m. away from the Cochin Airport.